Working at CARQUEST

Searching for a sensor, solenoid, or switches? CARQUEST can steer you in the right direction. The replacement auto parts distribution group boasts more than 3,400 member-owned locations in the US, Canada, and Mexico, and it runs about 40 distribution centers. CARQUEST sells its ... Read more

Interviewing at CARQUEST

I applied through an employee referral. The process took 1 day. I interviewed at CARQUEST (Raleigh, NC) in December 2009.

Interview

A HR representative contacted me to provide a reference for a new hire and suggested I apply for an open position. I met with the DBA Manager and the Director of IT. They gave me a skills test and discussed the work environment at CarQuest. The dress is business casual. IT works in a cube farm with no windows or privacy.

The leadership seemed to keep workers at an arms length, at least during the interview they were friendly but very guarded and closed. They had a cynical attitude towards the technology they implemented and expected new hires to support. They made poor implementation choices in the past and are scrambling to repair the damage without the expertise to do so.

New hires must COBRA their old benefits for the first 90 days. You can join the 401K until after a year, and then only starting in January and July. New hires typically only get two weeks of PTO the first year. Inter-office politics and a lack of procedures and policies have caused much of the turnover and challenges. They are trying to improve things.

They made me a lateral offer, but they did increase the PTO to three weeks (although I currently get five weeks in my current position). They did offer to reimburse costs of COBRA.

Former IT employees regard CarQuest as a sweat shop and an unpleasant place to work. There is a lack of peer review and the leadership is never questioned or challenged because all challengers are terminated or treated very poorly until they leave. IT leadership does not support their own employees when an interoffice problem arises, but rather blame them to curry favor from other groups.

Glassdoor gives you an inside look at what it's like to work at CARQUEST, including salaries, reviews, office photos, and more. This is the CARQUEST company profile. All content is posted anonymously by employees working at CARQUEST.